Systems and Methods for Controlling Access to Physical Space

1. A computer-implemented method to install a smart access reader in a preexisting access control system, comprising: initializing the smart access reader in a setup configuration to enable configuration of the smart access reader to operate in the preexisting access control system; receiving, by the smart access reader in the setup configuration, an authorized credential, the authorized credential programmed in the preexisting access control system; storing, by the smart access reader in in the setup configuration, the authorized credential in a memory; associating, by the smart access reader in the setup configuration, the authorized credential with a plurality of new authorized user credentials; and configuring the smart access reader in an authorization configuration to enable the smart access reader to authenticate each of the plurality of new authorized user credentials that are different than the authorized credential, and to send the authorized credential to an access control panel in response to successfully authenticating one of the plurality of new authorized user credentials.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the authorized credential comprises a scanned authorized credential and is received from a device.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , comprising receiving, by the smart access reader, power from the preexisting access control system.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , comprising: receiving, by the smart access reader in the setup configuration, one or more of the plurality of new authorized user credentials; and storing, by the smart access reader, the one or more new authorized user credentials.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , comprising: receiving, by smart access reader in the authorization configuration, a user credential; determining, by the smart access reader, whether the user credential is authorized based on the plurality of new authorized credentials; and sending by the smart access reader, the authorized credential to an access control panel of the access control system when the user credential is authorized.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the authorized credential is sent to the access control panel via a physical medium coupling the smart access reader and the access control panel.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein sending the authorized credential to the access control panel causes the access control panel to activate an access control relay.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the authorized credential is pre-programmed in the preexisting access control system.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the authorized credential is programmed in the preexisting access control system during installation of the smart access reader.

10. A smart access reader for an access control system, comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled with the memory, the processor configured to: execute a setup configuration to enable configuration of the smart access reader to operate in the access control system; process, in the setup configuration, a received authorized credential, the authorized credential programmed in the access control system to grant access to one or more devices; store, in the setup configuration, the authorized credential in the memory; configure, in the setup configuration, the smart access reader to send the authorized credential to an access control panel for a plurality of new authorized user credentials; and configure the smart access reader in an authorization configuration to enable the smart access reader to authorize each of the plurality of new authorized user credentials that are different than the authorized credential.

11. The smart access reader of claim 10 , wherein the authorized credential comprises a scanned authorized credential and is received from a mobile device via one of a Bluetooth or WiFi connection.

12. The smart access reader of claim 10 , comprising an interface configured to couple with the access control system to communicate with the access control system.

13. The smart access reader of claim 12 , wherein the interface is configured to couple with the access control system via a physical medium and the smart access reader to receive power via the interface.

14. The smart access reader of claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to: receive, in the setup configuration, the plurality new authorized user credentials; and store each of the plurality of new authorized user credentials in the memory.

15. The smart access reader of claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured to: receive, in the authorization configuration, a credential from a device; determine whether the credential is authorized based on the plurality of new authorized user credentials in the memory; and communicate the authorized credential to access control system if the credential is authorized.

16. The smart access reader of claim 15 , comprising an interface, and the processor is configured to communicate the authorized credential via a wire coupling the smart access reader with the access control system.

17. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable program code executable by a processor of a smart access reader to: receive an authorized credential for a preexisting access control system; store the authorized credential in a memory; receive new authorized user credentials that are different than the authorized credential; store the new authorized user credentials associated with the authorized credential in the memory; and configure the smart access reader to authenticate a user credential based on the new authorized user credentials; and communicate the authorized credential to the preexisting access control system in response to authentication of the user credential.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the authorized credential comprises a scanned authorized credential and is received from a mobile device via one of a Bluetooth or WiFi connection.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured to: receive the user credential from a device; compare the user credential to one or more of the new authorized user credentials; and authorize the user credential when the user credential matches one of the new authorized user credential.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured to communicate the authorized credential via a wire coupling the smart access reader with the preexisting access control system.